Winter safety

Keeping your house warm during winter is an important part of protecting yourself and your family from illness.

While it is important to keep warm, items such as heaters, electric blankets, hot water bottles and wheat packs, can be dangerous when faulty or used incorrectly.

Products that could be dangerous to the public will be recalled. Stay up to date with Australian product safety recalls via the Product Safety Australia website.

Carbon monoxide poisoning risk

Using unflued gas heaters, outdoor heaters, barbeques, charcoal and heat beads in enclosed spaces can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

The gas can build up in unventilated rooms and people can inhale it without realising, so it is important to make sure that there is ventilation with fresh air.

Carbon monoxide has no smell, taste or colour and is difficult to detect and can cause death very rapidly if breathed in.

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include:

• tiredness
• weakness
• shortness of breath
• headaches
• nausea
• vomiting
• confusion
• blurred vision
• loss of consciousness.

Babies and young children, pregnant people, older people, and those with respiratory and cardiovascular problems are most vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Anyone experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms should visit Healthdirect or seek assistance from their doctor.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

Regular maintenance of appliances is important to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Make sure your gas appliances have been serviced by a licensed gasfitter at the manufacturer recommended intervals or at least once every two years.

Learn more about gas safety and carbon monoxide risks.

Gas heaters

As well as posing a carbon monoxide risk when used incorrectly, unflued gas heaters can also cause respiratory infections, exacerbate asthma symptoms and increase coughing and wheezing.

Keep these tips in mind when using a gas heater:

• Never use heaters inside your home that are marked as ‘outdoor use only’.
• Never use unflued gas heaters in bedrooms, bathrooms or other small rooms with no ventilation (such as an open window), as harmful toxic gases can build up inside.
• Ensure your gas heater has been serviced by a licensed gasfitter at the manufacturer recommended intervals or at least once every two years.
• Gas heaters may require servicing if you have trouble lighting it, can see yellow flames or it releases an unusual smell or noise.
• Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector. 
• Winter pyjamas are often made from highly flammable synthetic materials, even those with a ‘low fire danger’ rating. Anyone wearing pyjamas (especially children) should keep away from open heat sources, such as heaters.

Learn more about gas safety.

Electric heaters

Keep these tips in mind when using an electric heater:

• Check for rust (especially older heaters) or obvious damage to the power cord. An electrician or service technician should perform any repairs.
• Don’t leave portable heaters in places where people or pets could knock them over.
• Ensure electric heaters are placed at least a metre away from furniture, curtains, table cloths and bedding.
• Don’t leave clothes on electric heaters.
• Winter pyjamas are often made from highly flammable synthetic materials, even those with a ‘low fire danger’ rating. Anyone wearing pyjamas (especially children) should keep away from open heat sources, such as heaters.

Learn more about electricity safety.  

Fireplaces

Poorly operated or inefficient fireplaces can contribute to poor air quality, which can negatively impact your health.

Keep these tips in mind when using a wood fire heater:

• Both open and closed fires present a burns risk.
• Make sure children are supervised near fires.
• Have your chimney serviced prior to use by a qualified tradesperson.
• Rooms should be well ventilated, and flues well maintained to reduce the risk of smoke inhalation.
• Always place a screen in front of a fireplace when it’s being used.
• Never burn rubbish such as plastics, foam or wood that is painted or treated.
• Install smoke alarms throughout your home and test them monthly. Change the batteries every year.
• Where possible, make sure you and your family know more than one safe way out of every room in your home.
• Store matches and lighters in a safe place and out of reach of children.
• Ensure you are aware of how to treat burns.
• Winter pyjamas are often made from highly flammable synthetic materials, even those with a ‘low fire danger’ rating. Anyone wearing pyjamas (especially children) should keep away from open heat sources, such as fireplaces.

Learn more about fire and heater safety.

Electric blankets

When used incorrectly, electric blankets can overheat, cause electric shock, or start a fire.

Keep these tips in mind when using an electric blanket:

• Use electric blankets to heat the bed and ensure they’re switched off before you sleep.
• Don’t place heavy objects on the bed while the electric blanket is turned on.
• Replace electric blankets at least every 10 years or sooner if showing signs of wear.
• Always store electric blankets by hanging or rolling them. Folding can damage the heating wires and increase the risk of electrical faults and therefore, increase the fire risk.

Hot water bottles and heat packs

Hot water bottles and heat packs pose a burns risk when used incorrectly.

Keep these tips in mind when using a hot water bottle or heat pack:

• Replace hot water bottles every 12 months, or sooner if they show signs of wear and tear (e.g. cracks in the rubber).
• Fill hot water bottles with warm (not boiling) water and shield them with a towel or fabric cover to ensure they don’t have direct contact with the skin.
• Heat packs should not be heated for longer than recommended on the label as they can ignite and start a fire, even some time after being removed from the microwave.
• Don’t sleep with a heat pack or hot water bottle in your bed.

Mould

During the winter season, our homes are heated while there is increased moisture in the air. This can often result in additional mould growth.

The most common types of mould are not harmful to humans, however some moulds found inside your home can cause health problems. This will depend on the type of mould, exposure time and your general health.

Some moulds may:

• trigger allergic reactions, such as asthma or hay fever, when spores are inhaled (often from handling mouldy materials) or through accidental ingestion
• cause cold-like symptoms (e.g. congestion, runny nose, eye irritation and headaches) and skin irritation
• cause more serious health effects such as fevers and breathing problems in people who are immune-compromised or suffer from respiratory diseases.

Learn more about household mould.

Power outages

Be prepared and aware of the risks associated with reduced access to power.

Keep these tips in mind when experiencing a power outage:

• Be careful when using candles and do not leave lit candles burning in unoccupied rooms. 
• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
• Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
• Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Have alternate plans for refrigerated medicines or power-dependent medical devices.

If you depend on power for critical care in your home, visit the Power dependency webpage for more tips.

For more information about keeping your food safe in a power outage, visit the food safety during and after an emergency webpage.

Protecting vulnerable people

The biggest health risk to vulnerable people, including older people and people who are sick, during very cold weather is hypothermia, chest infections, and worsening of chronic disease and flu.

Make sure you stay warm to help protect yourself and your family against pneumonia and hypothermia.

Follow these tips to stay warm:

• Wear extra layers and clothes made from wool or cotton
• Stay active (even indoors)
• Close the curtains and put a rug on the floor to stop heat escaping
• Wear a beanie and a scarf as heat escapes from your head and neck
• Don’t bring outdoor heaters inside

Other steps you can take to protect vulnerable people include:

• Check on those who are more vulnerable, like older relatives and those who are sick, to ensure they have access to effective and safe heating.
• Educate children about burn safety and ensure they are well supervised around heaters and fires.
• If you or someone in your family has a chronic condition, consult your doctor about precautions to stay safe.
• Ensure a chronic condition will not be exacerbated by the heating being used.
• Check if you’re eligible for an energy bill or medical heating and cooling concession.

Cough and cold medications

During the winter season, you’re likely to have larger quantities of cough and cold medication available in your home.

Keep these tips in mind when storing cough and cold medication:

• Always keep medicines out of reach of children. Store in a locked cupboard or container at least 1.5 metres off the ground.
• Ensure child-resistant lids are close tightly after use.
• Keep medicines in their original containers.
• Avoid stockpiling large quantities of medicines if you don’t need them.
• Safely dispose of unneeded medications at your pharmacy.
• ‘Natural’ products, such as eucalyptus oil, can be poisonous. Eucalyptus oil can be confused with cough syrup due to similar packaging. Swallowing as little as 5 millilitres of 100% eucalyptus oil can be life-threatening for children. In under 15 minutes it can cause loss of consciousness and seizures.
• Chest rubs, vaporisers and inhalant fluids containing camphor or eucalyptus oil can be poisonous. If you think a child has swallowed these products, contact the Poisons Information Centre immediately.
• Camphor blocks and camphorated oil are extremely dangerous with only small amounts being potentially fatal. Any child who has ingested a camphor block or camphorated oil requires immediate medical attention.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

For first aid advice, contact the Poisons Information Centre  on 12 11 26.

Learn more about medicine poisoning.

Storing winter clothes and blankets

Do not store blankets, bedding and clothing with naphthalene (mothballs or flakes). Naphthalene can cause poisoning through skin contact, especially in babies.

Washing with water, soap or detergent does not remove all traces of naphthalene. It’s recommended that mothballs or flakes are not used when babies are involved.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

For first aid advice, contact the Poisons Information Centre  on 13 11 26.

Follow these tips to store clothes and blankets safely after winter:

• Thoroughly clean anything that is going to be packed away.
• Make sure the clothes and blankets are fully dried before storing.
• Make sure items have enough room to have air circulate.
• Store in a location that is cool, clean and dry.
• Check on stored items to make sure there is no mould developing or dust mites.
• Wash items before putting them back with the rest of your clothing and linen.